Teaching Philosophy

As a teacher, I believe it is important to remember that I am also a student. I am there to learn what my students need and what their story is. 

My role as a teacher is to facilitate discovery rather than to lecture; to guide rather than act as an authority. My approach to teaching places the students in a central role. My duty is to focus on their progress, development, and journey through each lesson and through the course as a whole. I endeavor to keep the students' needs in sight and create activities around their goals. 

I believe strongly in creating a welcoming, safe, and fun class where all students feel free to participate without judgment or fear. I strive to offer support and encouragement by celebrating all progress and ensuring students are seen.

When planning lessons, I incorporate activities that bring about authentic communication through reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with a foundation in brain-based learning. Allowing students to talk about topics relevant their lives in a genuine way reinforces their central role in class and deepens cohesion with their peers, which in turn builds trust. Without trust in the classroom, it is difficult to feel safe and to feel free to make mistakes.

Mistakes are good. That's what I want students to hold onto. Mistakes are where the learning happens. We all make mistakes. Native speakers of English make mistakes all the time. It's not about perfection. It's about communication.